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Natural Lifestyle © Natural Lifestyle February 2005 in connection with Natural Health Week

There's a wonderful array of beverages out there just waiting to be tasted and what's more, many have health benefits too. Lisa Burn explains...

Cosy Cuppas

There's nothing more comforting during this cold weather than a cup of something warm to take away the chill, whether you've returned from a trip to the shops or a long day at work, battling the elements on the way home. The psychological effects of just sitting down with a warming drink should not be underestimated - it's tradition to give a cup of tea in times of shock, after all.

Soothe yourself with a cup of naturally caffeine-free rooibos, grown in South Africa. It tastes like tea and is full of antioxidants, shown to fight cancer, heart disease and lower blood pressure. That's as well as helping combat visible aging signs such as wrinkles.

Soup is another cosy comforter - make up a pan of chunky vegetable soup using a variety of green and brightly coloured vegetables to maximise the vitamin range, add pulses or grains for protein, tomatoes for their cancer-fighting lycopene. Freeze in individual portions so you always have a cupful at hand whenever you need it. Sit back and soak up the warmth!

Detox Drinks

Water is the great detoxifier and we all know we should drink around two litres a day - but how many people do? Start the day the way you meant to go on with a breakfast cup of warm water and lemon juice to not only rehydrate you but to dilute toxins in your body and help detox your liver.

Soup again can be a great help in a detox programme if you include vegetables such as broccoli for its vitamin C, celery, which stimulates the kidneys, Jerusalem artichoke to improve fat digestion and boost the immune system or beetroot to purify the blood.

Give yourself a helping hand with herbal teas such as chamomile and fennel to help aid digestion, dandelion for fluid retention or ginger to support the immune system.

Sleep Soundly

Get a head start into the land of nod with valerian tea, a natural herbal sedative. Or, try chamomile tea, which is great for winding down after a stressful day. Lemon balm and lime flower teas are also calming as is mint tea which ahs the added bonus of improving digestion making it perfect after a heavy meal.

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Warm milk contains tryptophan, used by the body to make serotonin, which improves mood - and you're likely to sleep better if you're in a good frame of mind, not fretting over anxieties and problems. Try a cup of warm milk with a carbohydrate snack, such as a banana, before bed.

Soothing Upsets

Colds and sniffles are common at this time of year, fight them wth the therapeutic qualities of herbal teas - try warming ginger or cinnamon - and the health-boosting benefits of fruit teas. Blackcurrants and rosehips are rich in vitamin C, which boosts your immune system, or try citrus teas such as lemon, lime and those containing orange peel and extract. Echinacea also supports the immune system and is found as an ingredient in some herbal teas or infusions.

If you suffer from travel sickness, the ginger tea or cordial can be a boon. It also works for general nausea nad soothes upset tummies. Fennel tea is a good one for digestion, while chamomile or marshmallow tea ease heartburn; if you're lacking in energy or feeling listless try ginseng tea to spice up your life.

Green and white teas are full of antioxidants (polyphenols), which have proved beneficial in the treatment of cancer, arthritis, heart disease, even food posining. They can also speed up metabolism, so could even help with weight loss.

Ayurveda

Balance your emotions and your health with ayurvedic teas. Ayurveda centres on the three doshas - kapha, vata and pitta - which when out of sync have negative effects on health. Many blends are available containing chamomile and fennel for their soothing effects, cinnamon to pep you up, liquorice to refresh, and ginger to support the immune system and boost energy. Lime is believed to detox and coriander to stimulate; while cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and clove are regarded as heating herbs, so are perfect for winter weather.

Vitality Boosters

Put a zing in your step with citrus drinks. Cordials lend themselves well to being heated and can form the basis of non-alcoholic (or alcoholic) punches. Often organic, they also contain natural ingredients such as fruit and spices with natural flavours such as elderberry, lemon and lime. If you like your drinks with a kick, try ginger cordial - or if tangy's more to your taste then consider blackcurrant or cranberry varieties. Fruit teas can also pack a punch with the lively flavours of lemon, raspberries, peppermint, grapefruit and apple, while added flavours from aniseed, black pepper, cardamom and bergamot (gives Earl Grey its distinctive taste) also make your mouth sing.

Chill in the Chill

Relax and unwind with naturally caffeine-free herb and fruit teas, or if you prefer the regular variety, decaffeinated teas.

Coffee lovers needn't miss out with the range of decaffeinated coffee on the shelves as well as coffee substitues containing chicory or dandelion. Lose the caffeine and you could lose headaches, tiredness and trembling hands - all of which can be down to too much caffeine.